Lawsuit alleges Washoe County teacher abused 2 children

Associated Press

Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015 | 6:28 p.m.

A teacher at a south Reno school that specializes in educating students with special needs abused two 8-year-old pupils, the children's family alleged in a lawsuit.

Karessa Battenfeld and Brenda Donahue filed the suit in U.S. District Court in Reno earlier this month, saying their daughters were physically, emotionally and verbally abused during the 2013-2014 academic year at Marvin Picollo School. Teacher Debbie Stebbins, Principal Matthew Burak and the Washoe County School District are named as defendants.

Battenfeld's daughter has cerebral palsy and other health issues. Donahue's daughter has a rare genetic disorder that affects motor, mental and language development.

In their joint lawsuit filed Nov. 18, they point to an anonymous report submitted to Child Protective Services. According to the report, Stebbins was accused of yelling and swearing at Battenfeld's daughter. She allegedly picked the 32-pound girl up from her wheelchair and shoved her on top of a horse during an equine therapy program. She then allegedly pulled the girl off the horse when she cried and threw her back into the wheelchair, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported (http://on.rgj.com/1XfZluu ).

Both mothers say five people witnessed it but nobody at the school or district contacted Battenfeld.

Burak, the principal, said he was unaware of the lawsuit when reached earlier this week by telephone. The school district's legal department said it was reviewing the allegations very carefully and takes them seriously.

"The district is always conscientious and respectful of the confidentiality of student and employee rights. In order to protect those rights, the District cannot further comment at this time," according to a statement.

The district also confirmed that Stebbins resigned but did not say if it had anything to do with the allegations. She did not respond to repeated calls and emails for comment.

Picollo is the Washoe County School District's only school catering to children with severe disabilities or medical issues. The school has been in operation for 40 years.